Poachers

by Tom Franklin

These stories, set in and around Alabama, describe a very tough, masculine environment, and I found it difficult at first to identify with the characters. As you read on the author gives you glimpses of male vulnerability and by the final story I was hooked. So, stick with it!

Extract

Though he'd never had a license, Kent drove, had since he was eight. Neil rode shotgun. Tonight both were drinking, and in the back Dan stood holding his rifle and trying to keep his balance. Below the soles of his boots the floor was soft, a tarry black from the blood of all the animals they'd killed.